Q. What is the FWUA/ARA Inspection Program?
A. The inspection program was designed to assist policyholders in verifying and receiving proper premium credits for mitigation devices installed on their home.
Q. Do I have to use the ARA inspection to receive credits/discounts?
A. No, the policyholder is not required to participate in this inspection program. You can use the MIT-1 or MIT-2 or WPD1-R form and obtain the services of a qualified person of your choice (qualifications are indicated on the form). To view and download the forms, click here or visit our web site at www.fwua.com/forms.html or by contacting your agent.
Q. Who is Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA)?
A. ARA was founded in 1979 and is known worldwide for their wind engineering work. They have been involved with the Department of Insurance and Department of Community Affairs in the RCMP (Residential Construction Mitigation Program), by inspecting and retrofitting houses with loss reduction devices.
Q. What is an Applied Research Associates (ARA) Inspection and why would I want the inspection?
A. The ARA inspection, while verifying your home’s features, suggests ways to protect your home, gives the estimated cost of adding those devices and gives the dollar amount saved on your fully indicated premium for windstorm insurance.
Q. Can I call ARA directly to order an inspection?
A. No, all inspections must be ordered through FWUA. In addition to ordering the inspection, we will send ARA housing characteristic information from your policy that will help process your request more efficiently.
Q. How is information regarding the inspection program being distributed?
A. FWUA is in the process of mailing individual letters to insureds whose policies are eligible for loss reduction credits. The letter provides information about the inspection program and directions for ordering an inspection.
Q. Will the ARA inspector be able to verify all mitigation devices on my home?
A. While the inspector is qualified to verify mitigation devices, the inspector can only verify the mitigation devices that are accessible. For this reason, access to the attic is vital. If the inspector does not have access to a mitigation device (i.e. roof straps), the device can not be verified. Credit for storm shutters requires additional steps that are described below.
Q. If I have storm shutters but do not have the applicable credit, will the ARA inspector sign the WPD-1R form for me?
A. The ARA inspector will not sign the WPD-1R form. However, credit for storm shutters can still be applied given the following:
In all cases, the ARA inspector will leave the Customer Action Item List with the policyholder to advise them of what action, if any, is needed on their part to secure credits.
Q. Does FWUA have an "approved" list of inspectors to use for the MIT-1, MIT-2 and WPD1-R forms?
A. No, FWUA does not maintain a list of approved inspectors. Any person that meets the qualifications listed on the MIT-1, MIT-2 or WPD1-R form can verify the mitigation devices listed on the form.
Q. How do I order an inspection?
A. To view and download an inspection form, click here or visit our web site at www.fwua.com/ftp/inspectionorderform.pdf Mail the completed inspection form and check to FWUA, Attention Inspection Coordinator, 7077 Bonneval Road, Suite 500, Jacksonville, FL, 32216. If you do not have internet access, you can obtain an inspection form by calling FWUA at (904) 296-6105, option 2.
Q. If an agent is submitting a new business application, can they order an inspection at the same time?
A. Yes, there are two options:
Note: An inspection will not be ordered until a policy has been issued.
Q. Can an inspection be ordered prior to submitting an application?
A. At this time, the answer is no. However, the FWUA is exploring this option with ARA. For now, the agent must submit an application and the insured can either order the inspection at the same time or wait until a separate letter is mailed to the insured that provides instructions on ordering an inspection. Regardless, an inspection will not be ordered until a policy has been issued.
Q .How long after I order my ARA inspection will the inspection be performed?
A. ARA will contact the policyholder within 4 weeks to schedule an appointment for the inspection to be performed.
Q. My inspection has been completed. What happens next?
A. ARA will forward a completed LMS-1 form to FWUA reflecting the loss reduction credits for which you qualify. The FWUA Inspection Coordinator will then process an endorsement adding those credits to your policy. Once the endorsement has been processed, a letter explaining the results of the inspection report and a new declaration page will be sent to you.